Why Is My Cat Peeing on the Couch All of a Sudden? 8 Possible Reasons
By Misty Layne
Updated on
Cat parents know that cleaning out the litter box can sometimes be a pain, but it’s a necessary item for our kitties. But what if our cats suddenly stop using the litter box and begin peeing on the sofa? Cats are naturally wired to want to hide any waste, so why would your pet not use its litter box?
There are actually a good number of possible reasons why your cat is peeing on the couch suddenly. Some of these reasons might require a vet visit, while others will need a few household changes. Rest assured, though, that when you know the reasons why your pet is peeing on the sofa, you can do something to remedy the situation!
The 8 Reasons Why Your Cat Is Peeing on the Couch Suddenly
1. Dislikes the current litter used
One of the more common reasons your cat might start peeing on the couch suddenly is that it isn’t a fan of the litter you’ve chosen. You may like the litter you’re using, but it doesn’t mean our feline friends feel the same way. They may dislike the smell or hate how it feels on their paws. Luckily, if this is why your pet has stopped using the litter box, it’s an easy fix—change the type of litter you use! You might have to go through a few different types to figure out what kitty likes best, but peeing on the couch should stop once you do.
2. Has another issue with the litter box…
Cats are picky, so it may not be a problem with the litter that has your favorite feline peeing on the couch; instead, it could be another issue with the litter box. Maybe the cat doesn’t like where the litter box is located. Perhaps the litter box is too small (or even too big). Maybe your cat is having trouble stepping into the litter box because it’s too high. It might even be that you aren’t cleaning the box out often enough. Your cat could have plenty of issues that would lead them to go to the bathroom elsewhere. So, if changing the litter didn’t resolve the peeing, try cleaning out the litter box more often, switching it to a different location, or getting a new one altogether.
3. …Or doesn’t enjoy sharing a litter box
If you have a multi-cat household, you require more than one litter box. If you’re currently only using one in your home, the problem may be that the cat peeing on the couch doesn’t want to share the litter box with another cat. It could feel unsafe having to share or be involved in a dispute of some kind with another cat. Remedy the situation by ensuring you have a litter box per cat and set them in different locations throughout the home. It’s a bit more work for you, but it sure beats trying to get your couch to stop smelling like urine.
4. Your cat is feeling territorial
Have you had a new pet move in recently? Then your cat peeing on the couch could be an attempt to mark its territory (and yes, even female cats have been known to mark territory by spraying!). The solution to this problem is mostly to be patient as your cat gets used to the new pet—eventually, the inappropriate elimination will end. You may also want to add more territory to your home for your cat in the form of vertical territory (aka cat trees and scratching posts). And if the cat that’s being territorial over your sofa isn’t spayed or neutered, then having it fixed could reduce the instances of spraying.
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5. Feels unsafe
Sometimes our felines don’t feel safe using the litter box because it’s low to the ground, so instead, they go somewhere higher to use the bathroom to ensure they can see any approaching threats. But what sort of threats could be in your home? It could be that your cat feels threatened by another pet, whether a cat or dog. It could even feel threatened by a rambunctious child constantly running around. If you think this is why your cat has started urinating on the sofa, find a place off the floor to put the litter box, such as a table. Hopefully, this will remedy the problem.
6. The cat is stressed
Animals can get stressed just like we can, but especially cats. Our kitty friends are very fond of routine, and anything outside that routine can cause stress. That stress could lead to your pet peeing on the couch. Stress can be difficult to pinpoint but look around to see if anything has changed recently. Have you moved homes? Has the house been rearranged? Has a new baby arrived? Any of these things could be the cause of stress.
Stress can be more difficult to fix, as well, but if it’s a matter of moving homes or rearranging your house, only time can remedy the situation as your cat will eventually get used to the changes. If it’s something like a new baby, then limit the time your cat is around the new household member until they get used to one another.
7. Separation anxiety
Though cats have a reputation for being aloof and solitary, they are actually exceptionally social animals that can form incredibly close bonds with their humans. So, it makes sense that your pet might get a bit anxious and upset when you’re away for a while. That separation anxiety can result in kitty urinating on the couch in an effort to express this anxiety and displeasure. However, there are ways you can help to decrease this type of anxiety, such as by making sure your pet has plenty to do while you’re away from home and by creating and sticking to a routine.
8. Medical issue
Finally, your cat might be dealing with a medical issue. If your cat has been using the litter box just fine up till now and there haven’t been any recent changes that could be upsetting it, then there could be a medical issue at play that’s making kitty pee on the couch. There are many medical issues that could cause this type of behavior, including urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and arthriis. If you believe something is medically wrong with your pet, you should schedule a vet visit sooner rather than later to see if there’s an underlying medical reason your pet has started using the couch as a bathroom.
Conclusion
There are lots of reasons your cat has decided to suddenly start peeing on the couch. These reasons are easily fixable for the most part; they may just take a bit of time, money, or work to remedy. However, the most serious reason is because of a medical issue, so if you believe that’s the case for your pet, you should get it to the vet to find out for sure. Otherwise, a change of litter or litter box location or getting back to a routine should decrease or eliminate this behavior.
Featured Image Credit: Creative Cat Studio, Shutterstock
